Shock players volunteer at Boys and Girls Club

ALEXIS HORNBUCKLE AND PLENETTE PIERSON HELP COACH IN THE 17TH ANNUAL DADDY’S INVITATION TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER AT THE SALVATION ARMY NORTH MABEE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

TULSA, Okla. (April 12, 2010) – With the game tied 73-73 and less than a minute to play, Alexis Hornbuckle stormed the court, pleading her case on an out-of-bounds call by the referee. The result: a technical foul that was greeted by hysteria and amusement from all the players and coaches at the 17th Annual Daddy’s Invitation Tournament Fundraiser at the North Mabee Boys & Girls Club on Saturday April 9, 2010.

Hornbuckle and Plenette Pierson served as honorary coaches for the two teams in a game that ended in a 73-73 tie as a foul shot was not awarded for Hornbuckle’s technical.

“My coaching career - I didn’t lose,” said Hornbuckle, laughing. “But I was a little frustrated because I wanted to win so I will have to try again.”

The charity basketball game was a fundraiser for the Mabee Boys & Girls Club which serves youth on Tulsa’s north side. The dads play the game while the children referee the festivities.

“It was a great opportunity to have fun with basketball, hang out with fans and bring the community together,” Pierson said. “Of course we didn’t win the game but we didn’t lose it either.”

Both Hornbuckle and Pierson were amused by their respective 0-0-1 coaching records but truly enjoyed coaching the adults and interacting with the youth at the club. Pierson barley sat down the entire game, screaming orders at the team and Hornbuckle had to be kept off the court for most of the second half – all in good fun.

“Great environment,” said Hornbuckle, describing the fundraiser. “You see kids out there having fun. The fathers were out there playing ball and the kids as the refs, it was great.”

About 275 people attended the event for the Boys & Girls Club which Rocky Bright, defensive end on the 2000 National Champion Oklahoma football team, founded when he was a freshman at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa.

“To have professional girls here before tip-off being involved in our work says wonders about the Shock Organization,” Bright said. “This is the transparency the kids need. It’s now tangible to make the WNBA. Helping out before the season starts shows a heck of a commitment to the city of Tulsa and our center.”